Stamp dispensing machine



Oct. 19, 1965 E. A. ARP 3,212,692

STAMP DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 12, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 19,1965 E. A. ARP 3,212,692

STAMP DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 12, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 FILE .4

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STAMP DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 12, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet '1INVENTOR.

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lrrazveys m i 9 H United States Patent 3,212,692 STAMP DISPENSINGMACHINE Ewald A. Arp, Hopkins, Minn., assignor of one-third each toArnold W. G. Larsen and Sheldon D. Moody, both of Minneapolis, Minn.

Filed Sept. 12, 1963, Ser. No. 308,396 19 Claims. C1. 226-123) Thepresent application is a continuation-in-part of my copendingapplication Serial No. 857,814, filed December 7, 1959.

The present invention has relation to stamp dispensing machines and moreparticularly to a stamp dispensing machine which includes a uniquemechanism which permits accurate dispensing and counting of three rollsof stamps of dilferent denominations.

Trading stamps have, in recent years, become almost a necessity for mosttypes of businesses in order to attract the consumer. In line with thisthe stamp companies have found that the volume of stamps has increasedto such an extent that there is a need for replacing the old stampsgiven with a purchase, with stamps of larger denominations. This is inorder to cut the amount of paper used as well as make it easier for theretailer and consumer to handle the stamps.

Therefore, stamp companies have started issuing what are known in thetrade as HI-D stamps. The stamps now come in three denominations. Theconventional stamp for a 10 purchase is still utilized. A second size isgiven for a dollar purchase and each one equals 10 of the small stamps.The third size utilized, is given for a five dollar purchase and equals50 of the small stamps.

As many retailers have found it economically necessary to install stampdispensing machines, it has also been necessary to develop stampdispensing machines which will hold and dispense all three sizes of thestamps simultaneously. Further many retailers have already providedspace for stamp dispensing machines which utilize the old style stampsand therefore the space required by the new stamp dispensers must notexceed that of the old stamp dispensers.

The basic drive of the stamp dispenser of the present application isdisclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 857,814, filedDecember 7, 1959, for Stamp Dispensing Machine. The present applicationrepresents certain improvements thereon primarily in the electricalcontrols and counting and stopping mechanisms for the stamp dispenser.

In the present application the amount of the purchase for which thestamps are to be given is punched by the operator on a provided pushbutton keyboard. Each of the push buttons will close a circuit torelease a latch mechanism and energize a drive motor for pulling stampsfrom a storage roll. The motor circuit is completed until the propernumber of stamps have been removed from the roll, at which time themotor is de-energized and the latch mechanism is released to stop thestamps from being dispensed. The latch mechanism stops the stamps withthe correct number extending beyond the cabinet for the dispenser andwith the perforations between two stamps exactly positioned over aprovided cutting edge. The stamps extending from the case will then betorn from the roll and given to the purchaser.

The stamps are pulled from the storage roll by a friction drive. Thestamps in turn drive a counting mechanism which determines how manystamps are being dispensed. The switch mechanism that is closed by thepush buttons is controlled by the stamp counting mechanism. As thestamps are being dispensed the switch is moved a distance proportionalto the number of stamps that have been dispensed. When the correctnumber of stamps ice have been dispensed the latch mechanism is releasedto stop the stamps so the perforations are aligned with the tearingedges on the housing. A separate switch and counting mechanism isprovided for each of the rolls of stamps in the cabinet. The stamps fromeach roll can be dispensed individually or at the same time as thestamps from the other rolls.

It is an object of the present invention to present a stamp dispenserwhich incorporated switch and stamp counting mechanism to permitdispensing from three side by side rolls of stamps within a confinedspace.

In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a stamp dispenser madeaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the device in FIG. 2 shown with acover in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken as on line 4-4 in FIG. 2 illustratingswitch mechanism utilized for operating the dispenser;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken as on line 5-5 inFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken as on line 66 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on substantially/ the sameline as FIG. 6 and illustrating typical switch mechanism for operatingthe stamp dispenser of the present invention with the switch in closedposition; FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the device of FIG. 6with side support members removed;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken as on line 9-9 in FIG 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of the stamp drive countingmechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially on the same line as FIG.10 and showing the latch mechanism for the counting rollers in areleased position;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken as on line 12-12 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of high denomination stamps, each of which isgiven for a five dollar purchase;

FIG. 15 is a view of high denomination stamps, each of which is givenfor a one dollar purchase;

FIG. 16 is a view of a regular stamp each of which is given for a tencent purchase; and

FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of the wiring diagram and counterlatch mechanism made according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawings and the numerals of reference thereon, a stampdispensing machine illustrated generally at 20 includes an outer cabinetassembly 21. The cabinet assembly has a base member 22 which includes afront wall 23 and side walls 28, 28.

As shown, three separate rolls of stamps indicated generally at 24 arerotatably mounted about the roller axis adjacent the rear of the cabinetbase. A cover assembly 25 is hingedly attached as at 26 to the cabinetbase and is movable from closed position as shown in FIG. 2 to an openposition as shown in FIG. 3. A cover support 27 can be utilized forholding the cover in its open position.

As shown, the cabinet houses three separate rolls of stamps. The stampsare of different value or denomination. As shown, the first roll ofstamps stores a strip 30 of stamps each of which is given for a ten centpurchase. A second roll of stamps stores a strip 31 of stamps, each ofwhich is given for a one dollar purchase, and which is equal to It} ofthe stamps from strip 30. A third roll of stamps stores a strip 32 ofstamps, each of which is given for a five dollar purchase and is equalto fifty of the stamps from strip 38.

Exterior control elements A plurality of push buttons illustratedgenerally at 33 are mounted on the cover assembly and protrude above theassembly. The push buttons are arranged in three columns. A first column34 of push buttons is utilized for dispensing stamps from the roll whichstores strip 30. A second column 35 of push buttons dispenses strip 31and a third column 36 of push buttons is utilized for dispensing thestrip 32. The numerals indicating the amount of purchase are placeddirectly on the top of the push buttons. As can be seen column 34 isutilized for purchases below one dollar, column 35 is utilized forpurchases from one dollar to ten dollars, and column 36 is utilized forpurchases from five dollars to fifty dollars in steps of five dollars.Each column contains ten push buttons. As will be more fully explainedlater, the push buttons in turn control switches which will energize thedispensing machine and cause the proper number of stamps to bedispensed, corresponding to the push button that is activated. A maximumof ten stamps can be dispensed from each roll during each dispensingcycle. The number of stamps dispensed corresponds to the position of thepush button depressed in relation to the front of the cabinet.

A key lock 34 is mounted on the top cover assembly and operates alocking mechanism 40 which will prevent the cover from being opened andalso controls a normally closed master electric switch 41 (see FIGS. 4and 17) for controlling the electric circuit for operating thedispenser.

As perhaps can best be seen in FIG. 4 the key lock 34 in addition tocontrolling locking mechanism 40 controls a cam lobe 42 which undernormal conditions does not contact normally closed microswitch 41.However, with the key in the proper position lobe 42 will contact themicroswitch button 43 and open the switch, thus disabling the circuitfor the dispenser. This will be the off and locked position for thedispenser when it is left unattended.

The cover assembly also includes a signal light 44 which is lit wheneverthe motor driving the stamps is energized to indicate that the stampdispenser is op erating.

Electrical switches and controls The cover assembly 25 is utilized for ahousing for the electrical switch controls for controlling thedispensing action of the machine. The cover assembly includes a basemember 45 and a cover 46.

The base member 45 of the cover assembly has a button plate 50 uponwhich a plurality of supports 51 are mounted. The supports in turnsupport and hold a plurality of track members 52 (three as shown). Thetrack members 52 are arranged to be vertically below the columns of pushbuttons 34, 35, and 36, respectively. The track members extend forsubstantially the length of the column.

In the upper or rear end portion of the cover member a plurality ofshaft supports 54 are mounted to the case 50 and a shaft 55 is rotatablymounted through these supports. The shaft 55 supports a plurality offlanged rollers 56. As shown, each of the rollers has a pair of spacedend flanges 57, 57. The end flanges 57, 57 are provided with a pluralityof evenly spaced notches 58 around the periphery thereof. As shown thereare three rollers each aligned with one of the track members.

A shaft 61 is rotatably mounted in provided journals 62, 62 at the frontof the base member 50 of the cover assembly. The shaft 61 also has threerollers 63 rotatably mounted thereon. Each of the rollers 63 has a pairof side flanges 64, 64 and the center portion of each of the rollers isprovided with an annular groove 65.

4 The rollers 63 and roller 56 longitudinally align. The track membersextend between the rollers. The flanges 64 on the rollers 63 have aplurality of evenly spaced notches 66, as do the flanges 57 First,second and third gears 7 8, 71 and 72 are mounted over shaft 61 and eachof the gears is drivably mounted to one of the rollers 63. The gears arefree to rotate on shaft 61.

First, second and third belts 73, 74 and 75 respectively are mountedover aligned pairs of rollers, one roller 56 and one roller 63. Thebelts are driven by their respective rollers 63 through their respectivegears 70, 71 and 72.

Each of the belts or hands is made of an electrical insulating materialsuch as a suitable plastic, and as shown is transparent. The drive beltseach carry a plurality of evenly spaced switch assemblies 76 thereon.The switch assemblies include a cross member 85 fixed to the belt andeach cross member has opposite end portions 86 that extend beyond theside edges of the belt. The cross members are attached to the belt withrivets. 87.

As shown the drive belts 73, '74 and 75, respectively, are mounted overthe track members 52. Each of the track members has a pair of side framemembers 77, 77 with longitudinally extending grooves 80. 80 definedtherein adjacent the top thereof. The grooves receive and support theend portions 86 of each cross member and slidably support the uppersection of the belt as it moves along the top of the track members.

The end portions 86 of the cross members fit into the notches 66 onrollers 63 and the notches 58 of the rollers 56. The rollers 63 aredriven through the gears 70, 71 and 72 and as the rollers are driven,the belts will be driven positively by the notches and cross members.

Each of the track members 52 includes a pair of bus bars 81 and 82respectively, mounted between the side members 77, 77 thereof andpositioned below the top section of the belt mounted on the side member.As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the bus bars are each mounted to the trackmember through a pair of longitudinally spaced spring supports 83. Thebus bars and spring sup ports are made of electrically conductingmaterial, such: as brass. The spring supports 83, 83 urge the bus bars81 and 82 of each track toward the other. A center stop member 84 isprovided in the track assembly to keep the bus bars 81 and 82 spacedapart as shown in FIG. 6. The bus bars provide switch means to theelectrical circuitry of the stamp dispenser.

Each of the cross members 85 on the belts includes a cylindrical boss 98which is positioned over the longitudinal center of the belt on which itis mounted. Each boss has a provided opening therethrough into which aswitch contactor 91 is slidably mounted for movement forward and awayfrom the bus bars 81 and 82. Each of the contactors 91 is frictionallyheld within its boss through the use of a hairpin type spring 92 (seeFIG. 8). The hairpin spring 92 has a leg 93 which passes through aprovided notch in the boss 98 and engages its respective contactor 91 tofrictionally hold the contactor against the opposite wall of the openingin the boss.

The switch assemblies 76 on each belt are positioned immediately belowone of the columns of push buttons and the individual assemblies arespaced apart the same distance as the push buttons. Each of the pushbuttons will depress the contactor positioned below it when the buttonis depressed. For each stamp dispensed, the switch assembliescontrolling the dispensing will be moved by their belt and belt drivemechanism one position toward the front of the cabinet. The belts areindexed to exactly align the switch assemblies with the push buttons.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, a push button 95 is depressed and will contacta contactor 96 and will force the con tactor down flush with the uppersurface of the boss under that push button. The contactor 91 will thenbe positioned between the bus bars 81 and 82 on that particular trackmember and will make electrical contact between the bars. This willclose a circuit, as will be more fully explained later, which willinitiate action to start the dispensing machine.

Stamp Dispensing Drive A main drive motor 100 is mounted in the frontpart of the cabinet for the dispenser adjacent the front wall 23. Themotor 100 has an output shaft that is connected through a centrifugalclutch 101 to a counter shaft 102 which in turn is rotatably mounted ina bracket 103. A sheave 104 is driV-ably mounted on the shaft 102 and abelt 105 is mounted over sheave 104. Belt 105 extends to be mounted overa driven sheave 106 which in turn is drivab-ly mounted to a stamp feedroller 107. The stamp feed roller 107 is rotatably mounted in providedbrackets 108, which in turn are mounted onto a base plate 111 that isfixed to provided supports within the cabinet.

The stamp feed roller 107 has three separate annular friction collars112 mounted thereon. Each of the friction collars 112 is aligned withone of the strips of stamps 30, 31, and 32 coming from the storagerollers. When the stamps are properly positioned, the friction collarsengage the unglued side of the stamps. Each strip of stamps is urgedagainst its aligned friction collar through the use of one of theindividually mounted pressure roller assemblies 113, 114, and 115respectively. The pressure roller assemblies each include an individualframe 117. All of the frames 117 are pivotally mounted about a commonshaft 118 which in turn is mounted to the frame of the dispenser. Eachof the individual frames 117 has a separate roller 120 rotatably mountedadjacent the top portions thereof. The rollers 120 are made of materialwhich resists adhesion of the glue on the stamps and are positioned sothat they will engage their respective aligned strip of stamps and urgethe strip of stamps against the aligned friction collar. The frames 117are each urged toward the stamp drive roller 107 and the attachedfriction collars 112 With an individual leaf type spring 121. The leafsprings 121 are mounted onto a base member 122 which in turn is mountedto a base plate 111 and thus mounted to the cabinet.

A separate latch lever 123 is mounted onto each of the frames 117 andcan be utilized to hold the frames away from the drive roller 107, asshown in FIG. 11, by slipping a notch 124 in the latch lever over aportion of the front wall of the cabinet. The stamps can then movefreely without overcoming the friction from pressure rollers 120 and thefriction collars 112.

Referring to FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 the action on a strip of stamps beingdispensed will be explained. The action to dispense each strip of stampsis the same. For example, the strip of stamps 30 extends from the rollerbeneath the cover assembly as indicated at 125 and extends over the baseplate 111. The stamp strip is threaded over a guide roller 126. Thestamp Strip 31 is mounted over a guide roller 127 and the stamp strip 32is mounted over a guide roller 128. The guide rollers are made in aplurality of individually rotatable sections to prevent binding and aidin the feeding of the stamp. The sections are spaced apart slightly.Each strip of stamps is then threaded between its guide roller and oneof three counting drum assemblies 131, 132 and 133 respectively. As canbe seen, the counting drum assemblies are of different width toaccommodate the different Widths of stamps.

Each of the counting drum rollers has a plurality of sets of pinsprotruding from the surface thereof. The pins 132 are of size andspacing so that they extend through provided openings aligned with theperforations between adjacent stamps. As shown, the pins 134 are spaceddegrees apart on the periphery of the roller and this correspondsexactly to the length of one stamp.

It will be seen that the guide rollers 126, 127 and 128 are positionedso that the pins in their respective counting rollers will pass betweenthe adjacent sections of each guide roller assembly to preventinterference as the aligned guide and counting rollers rotate past eachother. This also permits the pin 132 on the respective counting rollerto be positively inserted or forced through the perforations betweenadjacent stamps.

Latch mechanism The counting rollers 131, 132 and 133 are mounted onto acommon shaft 135 which in turn is mounted to the supports 108. Thecounting rollers are individually rotatably mounted. Each of thecounting rollers includes an integral latch member 136, each of whichhas four latch lugs 137 mounted around the periphery thereof. It will beseen that the latch lugs have stop surfaces 140 which are positioned toalign with and of size to engage a stop surface 141 of a latch dog 142.There are three latch dogs 142, one aligned with each of the latchmembers on the counting rollers. The latch dogs 142 are pivotallymounted about shaft 118 and are movable from position where they willengage the stop surfaces 140 on their respective latch member toposition wherein they clear the latch surfaces, as seen in FIG. 11. Thelatch dogs 142 each has a provided lug 143 that will be engaged to a lug144 on the adjoining frame 117 for the pressure roller aligned with itsrespective strip of stamps, and the latch dogs will be moved out of theway of their aligned latch lugs 137 whenever the frames 117 are moved toposition as shown in FIG. 11. Thus the stamp strips will not be held bythe latch mechanism nor by the friction drive.

Each of the counting rollers also has an integral gear member 145, 146and 147 respectively, the gears of the counting rollers are positionedin alignment with and mesh with gears '70, 71 and 72 which in turn areattached to the three drive rollers 63 for the belts 73, 74 and 75,respectively.

It can be seen in FIGS. 10 and 11 that each of the dogs 142 has adownwardly extending U shaped lever portion 150. The lever portions 150in turn are each attached to a one of a plurality of links 151 as at152. The links 151 extend inwardly and each is attached as at 153 to oneof a plurality of solenoid plunger members 154. The solenoid plungermembers are controlled by separate solenoids 155. Each solenoid 155controls one of the dogs 142. There is one solenoid for each of thestamp rolls in the dispenser. A coil spring 156 is mounted over each ofthe solenoid plungers 154 and is positioned to urge the plungers indirection as indicated by arrow 157. This in turn will urge the upperportions of the dogs toward their respective latch members and will urgethe stop surface 141 of each of the dogs into alignment with the stopsurfaces 140 on the latch lugs 137. When the surfaces 140 and 141 engageas shown in FIG. 10, the counting rollers for the stamps are positivelyheld from rotation in direction which will permit the stamps to bedischarged. The pins on the counting rollers hold each strip of stampssecurely. The strip of stamps cannot be moved unless the counting rollerfor that strip is free to rotate. The only time the counting rollers arefree to rotate is when the dog is moved to position wherein surface 141clears surface 140.

The base or upper member of the U shaped lever portion 150 of each ofthe dogs 142 forms an actuator lug 160. A separate microswitch 161 ispositioned between the legs of each of the U shaped lever portions 150and the microswitches are operated by the lugs.

Wiring 0 the unit Referring to FIG. 17, a schematic wiring diagram ofthe control circuit is illustrated. The dispenser of the presentinvention is powered through a standard 110 volt AC. power. A plug 165may be placed into a standard receptacle. One side of the plug iselectrically connected through a line 164 and standard overload contacts166 in the motor 100 and then through a line 169 and a main switch 41 tobus bars 82 which are electrically connected to line 169 in parallel.Bus bars 82, as stated previously, are positioned in the track membersin the cover assembly of the dispenser. The second side of the powerinput is electrically connected through line 183 to one side of thesolenoids 155 and to one side of the motor 100. The solenoids areelectrically connected in parallel to this side of the line. Each of thebus bars 181 is in turn connected to one of the solenoids 155. The busbars are connected to the solenoid which controls the dog 142 for thesame strip of stamps as the bus bar and push button controlling theswitches for that bus bar.

For example, when the push button 95 has been dispensed and contactor 96is positioned between bus bars 81 and 82 as shown systematically in FIG.17, the solenoid 155 which is electrically connected to that pair of busbars by line 168 will be energized. When any of the solenoids isenergized, it will move its plunger inwardly and in turn will cause thecontrol dog 142 to move to position as shown at 167 in FIG. 17. The stopsurface 141 of that dog 142 will be disengaged from the stop latch lug137 against which it was seated releasing the associated counter rollerand strip of stamps. The lug 160 of that dog 142 will close itsassociated microswitch 161 thus completing a circuit through thismicroswitch and through a line 184 to the motor 100 and starting themotor 100. The indicator light is also connected between lines 183 and184. It can be seen that all of the solenoids 155 operate in the sameWay to close their associated microswitches. The microswitches 161 areconnected in parallel and each will energize the motor 100 independentof the other. When any of the solenoids are energized by having acontactor 91 positioned between its associated bus bars, the motor 100will be started. Before the motor starts the dog 142 controlled by thesolenoid energized will have released the latch member 136 and itscorresponding counter roller.

Operation When a number of stamps are to be dispensed the proper pushbutton on the dial is pushed. For example, if the operator pushes button95, the contactor or plunger 96 beneath this button will be forced inbetween the bus bars 81 and 82. It should be noted that the contactorsare spaced apart the same distance as the stamps that are dispensed andtherefore there is one plunger beneath each of the push buttons. Once acontactor has made contact between the bus bars 81 and 82 thecorresponding solenoid 155 is energized moving the dog 142 that itcontrols to position to close its respective controlled microswitch 161and energize motor 100. At substantially the same time (actuallyslightly before) the dog 142 releases the latch member 136 controllingthe counter roller for that strip of stamps and the counter roller canrotate. The strip of stamps can be moved in direction out of thecabinet.

When the motor 100 exceeds a predetermined speed clutch 101 will engageand the drive shaft 107 will be rotated by shaft 102 through a sheave104, belt 105 and large sheave 106. The shaft 107 will rotate indirection as indicated by arrow 170 in FIG. 11. The strip of stampswhich is being dispensed, as shown, will be held between the pressurerollers 120 on frame roll 115 and the friction collar 112 aligned withthe strip of stamps.

As the drive roller rotates in direction as indicated by arrow 170, thestrip of stamps 30 will thus be moved in direction as indicated by arrow171. The strip of stamps will move out through a provided slot 172 atthe front of the cabinet and will be positioned adjacent and above acutting edge member 173. It can immediately be seen that as soon as thestrip of stamps commences to move under the friction from collar 112,the movement of the stamps will cause the associated counter roller 131to rotate in direction as indicated by arrow 174. As the dog 142normally holding the latch member 136 for this roller has been released,the roller is free to rotate on shaft 135.

It should also be noted that the drive roller 107 can slip against thestamps if there is something holding the stamps from moving. The driveroller 1117 simultaneously urges all three of the strips 30, 31 and 32to move as it rotates but the strips 31 and 32 will be held by thecounter rollers and latch mechanism until their respective solenoids 155are energized releasing the latch mechanism. This will happen only whena contactor 91 on the belt controlling that particular strip is moved tocomplete a circuit between the associated bus bars 81 and 82 for thatstrip of stamps.

While strip 30 is being dispensed the friction collars 112 for thestrips 32 will merely slip against these strips and the latch mechanismon the rollers will hold the strips securely in place.

If there is any slack in the strip 30 coming into the counter roller,this will be taken up and if the inertia from the main storage roller inthe cabinet is such that the stamps will not feed quickly, the frictioncollars 112 driving strip 30 will slip on the strip and prevent tearingthe stamps when the dispensing cycle is initated.

As the counter roller 131 rotates during the dispensing of the stamps,its associated gear 145 will rotate the gear 7 0 which drives the roller63 for belt 73. The notches in the roller 63 for belt 73 will engage theend portions of the cross members on the belt and move the beltlongitudinally in direction as indicated by arrow 175 as seen in FIG. 5.The contactor 176, which is immediately behind the plunger 96 that wasdepressed, will move into contact with a lug 177 on the push button aslong as the push button remains depressed. This will hold the entirecounting mechanism back through the belt and gears and prevent thecounter rollers from rotating. If the counter roller will not rotate,then the drive roller 112 merely slips against the strip of stamps andthe strip is held. Thus even if the push button is held down, it willnot actuate the contactor 176 or other contactors as the belt moves. Thedrive roller continues to slip until the push button is released.

Once the push button 95 is released, a spring 180 returns the pushbutton to its normal position and the lug 177 is positioned above thecontactor 176. The belt is then free to move in direction as indicatedby arrow 175. The circuit for driving motor will remain energized aslong as the switch contactor is between the bus bars 81 and 82 for thatstrip of stamps. The contactor 96 maintains electrical contact with thebus bars as it is moved by the belt.

When the contactor 96 reaches the end of the bus bars at the positionindicated at 181 the circuit to solenoid 155 for that roll of stampswill no longer be completed. As soon as the circuit is broken, thesolenoid 155 relaxes and the spring 156 for the solenoid will urge thesolenoid plunger 154 and consequently the dog 142 back to its originalposition. This will place the portion of that dog having surface 141between two of the latch lugs 137 on the latch member 136 for thecounter roller 131. Although the motor 100 will no longer be energizedbecause the microswitch 161 will be opened, the inertia of the motorwill be sufficient to drive roller 107 and consequently friction collar112 for a sufficient length of time so that the strip 30 will continueto be urged outwardly from the cabinet until the surface of the lug 137closest to the surface 141 of dog 142 will be seated firmly against thesurface of the dog as shown in FIG. 10. In this position, the stampsbeing dispensed will be held by pins 134 so that the perforations willbe exactly aligned with the tearing edge 173 and with the proper numberof tom surface of the groove.

9 stamps extending from the cabinet. The lug 142 engages the latchmember 136 and will prevent other stamps from being dispensed.

It can be seen that as the switch plungers on the cross member on therespective belts are spaced apart the same distance as the individualstamps the timing is relatively a simple job so that the right number ofstamps are dispensed by the time the depressed contactor comes to theend of the bus bars. The circuit to the respective solenoids is brokenafter the first part of the last stamp to be dispensed has emerged fromthe cabinet and before it has been completely removed from the cabinet.The inertia of the motor is utilized for carrying the last stamp to bedispensed the rest of the distance necessary and the latch dogs stop thestamps with the perforation of the last stamp exactly aligned with thetearing edges. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the space indicated at 182 isthe amount that the belt will be carried by the inertia of the motorafter the circuit has been broken.

The depressed switch contactors will be reset in two stages. When thedepressed contactor comes over the roller 63, it will enter the grooves65 and engage the bot- The contactor will be moved outwardlyapproximately one half of the distance toward resetting at the rollers63. As the belts are further moved the switch contactor will engage thesurface of roller 56 and will be forced outwardlythrough its collar toits original position. The reset switch contactor will clear the busbars underneath it.

It can be seen that the similar action will take place for any strip ofstamps inasmuch as the circuits are connected in parallel and that morethan one strip of stamps can be dispensed simultaneously. Further, bydepressing a push button toward the top of a column (for a higherpurchase) the contactor depressed will remain in contact with the busbars for a longer length of time, thereby actuating the exact number ofstamps necessary.

The latch mechanism for the counting rollers, which drives therespective switch belts, also insures that the switch elements areproperly positioned below the push buttons each time the dispensingmechanism is stopped.

The use of the friction drive rollers prevents tearing of the stampswhen they are initially dispensed. Breaking the circuit to shut oil thepower to the motor before the last stamp has been completely dispensedand allowing the motor inertia to dispense the last portion of the laststamp raids in preventing a severe jerking when the latch mechanism forthe counting roller is engaged. The latch mechanism stops the countingroller and holds the strip of stamps. Further, it can be seen that thelatch mechanism is released prior to the time that the motor isenergized as the solenoid first must be activated in order to close themicroswitches 161 to start the motor. (This insures that the stamps willbe dispensed properly upon release of the push button that has beenpressed. During the time the motor is energized, the indicator lightwill be lit.

Utilization of elongated belts tor mounting the contactors whichenergize the circuit permits placing the push buttons in columns ratherthan in a circle :as is done presently. Therefore three columns of pushbuttons for actuating three separate stamp rolls can be mounted in aconfined space. The switch mechanism is compact and highly reliable. Asthe amount of travel of the switch contactors is controlled by thecounting mechanism for the stamps the dispensing circuit will remainenergized until the proper number of stamps have been dispensed. Theseparate latch mechanism insures accurate stopping of the stamps withthe pertorations properly positioned over the tear strips and with theswitch mechanism properly positioned below the push buttons.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for performing a series of consecutive identicaloperations having drive means for performing to said operations, theimprovement comprising means tor preselecting the number of operationsto be performed including an endless member movable in accordance withthe performance of said operations, means including a switch operativeto energize said drive means, said switch having a pair of elongated,parallel, transversely spaced apart bus bars adjacent and parallel tosaid endless memher for a portion of the path of said endless member,said bus bars, when electrically connected to each other, beingelectrically connected to energize said drive means, a plurality ofcontactors carried by said member and slidably mounted with respectthereto to be manually movable to a first position in electrical contactwith both of said bus bars from a second position spaced out ofelectrical contact with both of said bus bars, means to move saidendless member when said drive means is energized to cause saidcontactors to move away from both of said bus bars with the samefrequency as said operations are performed, and means for moving saidcontactors from said first position to said second position when saidcontactors are not in adjacent relationship with said bus bars.

#2. The combination as specified in claim 1 and 1a plurality of pushbuttons on the machine, each push button positioned to control one ofthe contactors when said conttactors are adjacent said bus bars.

3. The combination as specified in claim 1 and a track member insupporting relationship to said endless member at the section thereofadjacent said bus bars.

4. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said bus bears arebiased toward each other, and stop means between said bus bars .toprevent the bus bars from contacting each other.

5. The combination as specified in claim 1 and a plurality of crossmembers mounted on said endless member, said cross members having acenter cylindrical boss each of said contactor pins being slidablymounted in one of said bosses, said bosses being provided with .atransverse slot open to the pin in said boss, and a separate hairpintype spring on each of said bosses, each of said springs having one legthereof ext-ending int-o the slot on its respective boss and engagingthe contactor pin mounted in the boss.

6. In a machine for dispensing stamps from an elongated strip of stampswound in a roll, the combination with a main frame, stamp rollsupporting means mounted with respect to said main frame, and stripdrive means for pulling stamps from said roll and discharging them fromsaid machine, of: manually operated means for preselecting the number ofstamps to be dispensed from said machine including an endless bandmovable in accordance with movement of stamps from said machine, meansoperative to energize said strip drive means, said means including aswitch having a pair of elongated, parallel, spaced apart bus barsadjacent and parallel to the path of said endless band for a portion ofthe path of said band, said bus bars, when electrically connected toeach other being further connected to energize said drive means, aplurality of contactor pins slidably mounted with respect to said bandto be manually movable to a first position in electrical contact withboth of said bus bars from a second position spaced out of electricalcontact with both of said bus bars, said band being movable when saiddrive means is energized to cause said contactor pins to move out ofalignment with said bus bars with the same frequency :as stamps aredispensed [from said machine, and means for moving each of saidcontactor pins from said first position to said second position Whensaid contactor pins are not in adjacent relationship to said bus bars.

*7. The combination (as specified in claim 6 and latch means to stopsaid stamp strip from being dispensed when said contactor pin in saidfirst position moves out of alignment with said bus bars, said latchmeans including a latch member driven by the stamps as they aredispen-sod, a latch dog movable between a first normal positron engagingsaid latch member and holding said member and strip of stamps to asecond position releasing said latch member and power means operative tohold said latclh dog in said second position Whenever the circuitbetween said bus bars is completed.

8. A machine for dispensing linear units from an elongated transverselyperforated strip extending from a roll, said machine including a mainframe, strip drive means for moving said strip from said roll, saidstrip drive means including a motor, counting means driven by saidlinear units as they are moved from said roll, holding means for holdingsaid counting means to prevent movement of said strip of linear units,power means for moving said holding means to position to release saidcounting means, said power means including a solenoid, control meanshaving a linearly sliding element movable to complete a power circuit tosaid power means, said linearly sliding element forming a part of saidpower circuit, switch means to energize said motor when said holdingmeans is moved to said release position, disabling means driven by saidcounting means for mechanically moving said linearly sliding element toposition to disable said power means when a certain number of linearunits have moved past said counting means, and bias means urging saidholding means to its original position holding said counting means whensaid power means is disabled; and wherein said control means includessaid switch means including an endless belt mounted on a pair of spacedrollers, a plurality of push buttons positioned adjacent said belt, aplurality of switch assemblies mounted on said belt and spaced apart thesame distance as said push buttons, and proportional to the length ofsaid linear units, indexing means for positioning said switch assembliesaligned with said push buttons, said switch assemblies each including amovable contactor member adapted to complete an electrical circuit tosaid solenoid when a push button is depressed, and drive means betweensaid mounting means and one of the rollers for said endless belt, saiddrive means being adapted to move said contactor member to positionwherein said electrical circuit is broken after the last stamp to bedispensed has started to move past a predetermined point and before saidstamp has moved completely past said point.

9. The combination as specified in claim 8 wherein said switch meansincludes a pair of bus bars biased toward each other, stop means forpreventing said bus bars from contacting each other and wherein saidcontactor is moved to position between said bus bars and in contact witheach of them when a push button is depressed, said contactor beingslidable between said bars in a longitudinal direction.

10. The combination as specified in claim 9 wherein said switchassemblies include a plurality of cross members mounted on said endlessbelt, said cross members having a center cylinder boss, each of saidcontactors being constituted as a pin slidably mounted in one of saidbosses for movement toward and away from said belt, said bosses beingprovided with a transverse slot open to the pin in said boss, and aseparate hairpin type spring on each of said bosses, each of saidsprings having one leg thereof extending into the slot on its respectiveboss and engaging the contactor pin mounted in the boss.

11. The combination as specified in claim 9 and a track membersupporting said endless belt along the section of said belt adjacentsaid push buttons.

12. The combination as specified in claim 11 wherein said push buttonsand said switch assemblies on said belt are spaced apart the samedistance as the perforations between said linear elements.

13. The combination as specified in claim 12 and means on said roller ofsaid belt to move said depressed switch contactor pin to its originalposition as the switch elements pass over said rollers.

14. A machine for dispensing stamps from an elongated perforated stripof stamps formed onto a roll, said means including a main frame, meansto rotatably support said roll with respect to said main frame, stripdrive means for moving said strip from said roll, counting meanspositively driven by the perforations between adjacent stamps in saidstrip as said strip is moved from said roll, latch means for holdingsaid counting means to prevent rotation of said strip of stamps, biasmeans normally urging said latch means toward said holding position,power means for moving said latch means to position torelease saidroller, control means actuated to activate said power means to move saidlatch means to said released position, said control means including aslidable element movable to position to complete a power circuit to saidpower means, and drive means driven by said counting means and connectedto mechanically move said sliding element to position wherein saidsliding element no longer completes said circuit to said power meanswhen the last of a predetermined number of stamps to be dispensed haspassed from said counting means; said sliding element being mounted on abelt, said belt being driven by said counting means for said stamps andsaid sliding element being movable by said belt to position wherein itno longer completes said circuit to said power means when apredetermined number of stamps have passed said stamp counting means.

15. The combination as specified in claim 14 wherein said stamp countingmeans is comprised as a roller having a plurality of radial prongsextending from the outer surface thereof, said prongs being positionedon the periphery of said counting roller the same distance apart as theperforations of adjacent stamps in said strip.

16. The combination as specified in claim 15 wherein said latch means iscomprised as a latch member drivably associated with said countingroller and having a plurality of lugs on the periphery thereof, and alatch dog pivotally mounted on said main frame and aligned with saidlugs, said latch dog and one of said lugs being engageable to preventrotation of said counting roller and keep the strip of stamps frommoving when the circuit for said power means is broken.

17. The combination as specified in claim 16 wherein said stamp drivemeans is comprised as a drive roller engaging one side surface of saidstrip of stamps, and a pressure roller biased toward said drive rollerand adapted to urge said strip of stamps against said drive roller.

18. In a machine for performing a series of consecutive identicaloperations having drive means for performing said operations, theimprovement comprising means for preselecting the number of operationsto be performed including an endless member movable in accordance withthe performance of said operations, means including a switch operativeto energize said drive means, said switch including a sliding elementcarried by said endless member and movable to a first position toenergize said drive means, said sliding element forming a portion of anelectrical circuit to said drive means, means to move said endlessmember when said drive means is energized to cause said sliding elementto move toward a second position wherein the drive means is notenergized, and manually operable means to move said sliding element toits first position in a predetermined location of its travel in relationto its second position so that when said sliding element is carried bysaid endless member to its second position the preselected number ofoperations will have been performed by said drive means.

19. In a machine for performing a series of consecutive identicaloperations having drive means for performing said operations, theimprovement comprising means for preselecting the number of operationsto be performed 7 including an endless member movable in accordance withmovable when they are adjacent the bus bar to a first position toslidably contact the bus bar, said linearly slidable elements in saidfirst position being electrically connected to energize said drive meanswhen contacting the bus bar, said elements being movable to their firstposition from a second position spaced out of electrical contact withsaid bus bar, means to move said endless member when said drive means isenergized to cause said linearly slidable elements to move with theendless member away from said bus bar with the same frequency as saidoperations are performed, and means for moving said linearly slidableelements from said first position to said second position when saidelements are not in adjacent relationship with said bus bar.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,180,483 11/39Scher 226l35 2,789,165 4/57 Nichols 2005 3,047,347 7/62 Groves 226-135 X10 M. HENSON WOOD, IR., Primary Examiner.

ROBERT B. REEVES, Examiner.

1. IN A MACHINE FOR PERFORMING A SERIES OF CONSECUTIVE IDENTICALOPERATIONS HAVING DRIVE MEANS FOR PERFORMING SAID OPERATIONS, THEIMPROVEMENT COMPRISING MEANS FOR PRESELECTING THE NUMBER OF OPERATIONSTO BE PERFORMED INCLUDING AN ENDLESS MEMBER MOVABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITHTHE PERFORMANCE OF SAID OPERATIONS TO BE PERFORMED SWITCH OPERATIVE TOENERGIZE SAID DRIVE MEANS, SAID SWITCH HAVING A PAIR OF ELONGATED,PARALLEL, TRANSVERSELY SPACED APART BUS BARS ADJACENT AND PARALLEL TOSAID ENDLESS MEMBER FOR A PORTION OF THE PATH OF SAID ENDLESS MEMBER,SAID BUS BARS, WHEN ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER, BEINGELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO ENERGIZE SAID DRIVE MEANS, A PLURALITY OFCONTACTORS CARRIED BY SAID MEMBER AND SLIDABLY MOUNTED WITH RESPECTTHERETO TO BE MANUALLY MOVABLE TO A FIRST POSITION IN ELECTRICAL CONTACTWITH BOTH OF SAID BUS BARS POSITION IN ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH BOTH OFSAID CONTACT WITH BOTH OF SAID BUS BARS, MEANS TO MOVE SAID ENDLESSMEMBER WHEN SAID DRIVE MEANS IS ENERGIZED TO CAUSE SAID CONTRACTORS TOMOVE AWAY FROM BOTH OF SAID BUS BARS WITH THE SAME FREQUENCY AS SAIDOPERATIONS ARE PERFORMED, AND MEANS FOR MOVING SID CONTACTORS FROM SAIDFIRST POSITION TO SAID SECOND POSITION WHEN SAID CONTACTORS ARE NOT INADJACENT RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID BUS BARS.